If you’re tired of dealing with messy and unreliable denture adhesives, you’re not alone. Many denture wearers struggle with keeping their dentures in place throughout the day. Adhesives, while effective for some, often lose their grip after eating or drinking, leaving you frustrated. But what if there were a better way?
Key Takeaways:
- Denture adhesives can be messy and often lose their effectiveness throughout the day.
- Alternatives to denture adhesives, such as powders, creams, and adhesive strips, offer convenience and better comfort.
- Overdentures, supported by dental implants, provide enhanced stability and eliminate the need for adhesives.
- Innovations like self-sticking dentures inspired by octopus tentacles are emerging, offering exciting possibilities for denture wearers.
Exploring Alternatives to Denture Adhesives
Several options are available for individuals seeking alternatives to traditional denture adhesives. Many of these solutions aim to provide a better fit and longer-lasting hold, making your life easier. Here’s a closer look at some options:
- Denture Powders and Creams: These products offer varying degrees of hold and can be chosen based on personal preference. They can be especially useful when you want a quicker, easier application without the mess of traditional adhesives.
- Adhesive Pads and Strips: These provide a pre-measured amount of adhesive and are both convenient and easy to use. They tend to be less messy than creams and powders, and many users find them more comfortable.
- Cushioned Liners: These liners fit between your dentures and gums, offering extra comfort and stability. They’re a great option for those who find their dentures uncomfortable or have difficulty achieving a secure fit.
- Natural Alternatives: Some people explore homemade solutions, such as cornstarch paste or aloe vera, as a more natural way to keep their dentures in place. However, it’s always a good idea to consult with your dentist before trying any DIY method.
These alternatives can help reduce the frustration of relying on denture adhesives. However, for a more permanent solution, you might consider the option of overdentures.
Overdentures — dentures over dental implants
There are very few things in life that I can speak with certainty about, but overdentures are one of those things. Overdentures derive their name from the fact that they are a denture that goes over something else. The denture can go over teeth or dental implants, but most of the time, dental implants are chosen.
The main purpose of overdentures is as follows: the denture will stay in the mouth better. When a denture simply rests in the mouth on one’s tissue and dental ridges, there is very little to hold the denture in place. Although many patients over many decades have used conventional full-mouth dentures with nothing under the denture, even a seasoned veteran will tell you that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to keep their lower dentures from not moving at all. A maxillary or top denture is a different story. A top denture has a patient’s palate to rest upon. That palate gives added support for the denture. In addition, unlike the environment for a bottom denture, a top denture doesn’t have to deal with a movable tongue in the middle of the prosthesis. And finally, a top denture can actually achieve a good seal with its peripheral tissues (kind of like a suction cup).
A mandibular denture is much different. First, it is horseshoe-shaped (to traverse around one’s much-needed tongue). Next, it’s just impossible to get a good tissue seal. Most wearers adapt to wearing a full-mouth denture by learning how to chew differently and/or wearing denture adhesive. For those who hate denture adhesive, enter overdentures.
Why Overdentures Are a Game-Changer
If you’re tired of the hassle of adhesives and looking for something more stable, overdentures could be an excellent solution. Overdentures are a type of denture that is supported by dental implants. These implants provide a secure foundation for the dentures, eliminating the need for adhesives entirely. Here are some of the key benefits of choosing overdentures:
- Bone Preservation: Dental implants used in overdentures stimulate the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that typically occurs with missing teeth. This is especially important for maintaining facial structure and long-term oral health.
- Enhanced Comfort: With overdentures, the dentures are securely anchored, reducing gum irritation and discomfort associated with traditional, non-implant-supported dentures. The stability also means fewer adjustments are needed over time.
- Improved Speech and Chewing Efficiency: Overdentures provide a much more stable and secure fit compared to traditional dentures, making it easier to speak clearly and chew effectively. This can enhance your overall quality of life, particularly if you’ve struggled with loose dentures in the past.
- Increased Confidence: Knowing that your dentures won’t slip or move around can give you the confidence to go about your daily activities without worrying about your dentures shifting or falling out. This stability can significantly improve your social interactions and reduce anxiety.
Overdentures: strength, support aesthetics, function, AND RETENTION
An overdenture can be fabricated from scratch to have strength, support, aesthetics, and function retention. By fabricating a denture with the necessary components, an overdenture can be connected to dental implants. It works very similarly to a button on a coat. One component of the button is attached to a biocompatible titanium post in one’s jaw. The other component rests inside the underside of the denture. This creates a situation where one’s overdenture can snap to place.
Having fabricated and presented many patients with this excellent treatment modality, I am confident in its ability to deliver results. One of my favorite parts of my job is the day we connect an overdenture to dental implants (particularly a lower denture). I watch with delight as my patients experience no movement associated with their replacement teeth for the first time.
When an overdenture is connected, dreams become a reality.
It occurs like this:
The attachment component is placed on the implant and transferred into the underside of the overdenture. The denture is examined for fit and comfort, and the patient is asked to remove the denture and place it back into their mouth again. At this point, the patient begins to remove the denture. Seeing the smile on every face is always exciting when they realize just how stable the denture has become. Behind that smile I know they are daydreaming about how this overdenture will affect their life: the ability to chew without the teeth moving, confidence in knowing that their smile is the same each time, and, lastly, absolutely no more of that denture adhesive. I see the delight in their smile and that makes me smile as well.
Recent Innovations in Denture Stability
Denture technology is evolving rapidly, and recent innovations may soon provide even more options for denture wearers. One exciting development is the creation of self-sticking dentures inspired by the suction cups on octopus tentacles. These 3D-printed dentures are designed to adhere to the gums using natural suction, eliminating the need for traditional adhesives. While still in the clinical trial phase, these dentures could offer a revolutionary alternative to adhesive-based options in the future.
Imagine a set of dentures that could stay in place throughout the day without the need for messy adhesives or uncomfortable pastes. Researchers believe that this innovation could change the way we approach dentures and denture adhesives forever.
Contact Pro Dental Dallas About Overdentures
If you’re tired of the inconvenience and discomfort of denture adhesives, there are alternatives to explore that can provide a more secure and comfortable fit. There are solutions to fit your needs, from denture powders and creams to overdentures supported by dental implants. Overdentures, in particular, offer a stable, long-lasting option that provides comfort and bone preservation. With ongoing innovations in dental technology, the future of dentures is looking brighter than ever.
Regardless of your chosen solution, it’s essential to discuss your options with your dentist to determine what’s best for your oral health and lifestyle. At Pro Dental Dallas, we offer a variety of denture solutions to help you achieve the comfort and confidence you deserve. Please call to learn more.
